The second edition of the roster prediction series is here. The roster is little changed since early June, but the tides still change around NRG as the World Cup comes to an end and training camp gets underway soon.<\/p>\n
Similar to how NCAA Basketball\u2019s Bracketology works, I\u2019ll update the below with the Last Four (players) in the roster, the first four out, the biggest riser, and biggest faller. I\u2019ll update this series every other Tuesday until the final 53-man roster is announced on Sunday, August 30th.<\/p>\n
Initial Rosterology for 2026<\/a> featured several surprising faces including Dominique Robinson, Naquan Jones, and Alijah Huzzie. All three remain on the roster given their place on the depth chart and the lack of true challengers for their role.<\/p>\n Note: Rookies are in bold and UDFAs are italicized<\/p>\n Biggest Riser: Lewis Bond, WR<\/p>\n I\u2019ve never had a rookie in NINE years featured as a biggest riser OR biggest faller, so this is an intriguing scenario to have two rookies as the biggest movers on the roster.<\/p>\n Bond\u2019s rookie minicamp and OTAs report card has been full of A\u2019s as he carved out a role as a route running specialist. As a sixth rounders have hit for the Texans in recent history: Jawhar Jordan, Jarrett Patterson, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jamal Hill are all on the roster. Bond has changed the narrative from if he can make the squat at all to if the Texans can make room for veteran Justin Watson on the roster.<\/p>\n Biggest Faller: Marlin Klein, TE<\/p>\n The offseason narrative has not been positive for the rookie tight end. He\u2019s the first rookie in NINE years of this article series to be named the \u201cBiggest Faller\u201d… even Kenyon Green didn\u2019t have that honor in 2022. Between the intense competition at tight end and his lingering hamstring injury, it has not been a smooth start for Klein. The media and fans are already sour to the Michigan man. He has plenty of time to redeem himself, but there\u2019s no such thing as a redshirt year in the NFL.<\/p>\n Analysis: I predict Houston will only keep two QBs on the roster and designate Mertz to the practice squad with the intention of elevating him up to the roster as the emergency QB throughout the season. Mertz\u2019s development in year two and another season removed from his ACL tear will be an interesting talking point. With Mills facing the last year of his contract, can Mertz present enough of a case to eventually assume the backup QB role?<\/p>\n David Montgomery, Woody Marks, British Brooks, Jawhar Jordan<\/p>\n CUT: Noah Whittington, Josh Pitsenberger, Evan Hull<\/p>\n Analysis: No changes as this groups sits idly by. Whether this group keeps three or four is a question that not enough fans are asking. With the indulgence of options at tight end, the team may need to sacrifice a spot at running back. British Brooks could be at peril in this scenario. The Texans could shift Stover or Moreau to a hybrid tight end\/fullback\/wingback role that nullifies Brooks\u2019 role on the roster. That decision will play out over the first few weeks of training camp where the offense begins to reveal itself.<\/p>\n Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Xavier Hutchinson, Lewis Bond<\/p>\n CUT: Justin Watson, Jared Wayne, Daniel Sobkowics, Jalen Walthall, Treyvhon Saunders, Jha\u2019Quan Jackson<\/p>\n Analysis: Until we see legitimate contribution from Watson in the training camp and pre-season, I cannot advocate for Watson on the roster. After only playing in three games all of 2025, Watson only collected three receptions. He is a complete enigma on this roster and I frankly don\u2019t understand why he is seen as a more viable option than Jared Wayne who had two catches in one game last year. I understand the offensive staff values his blocking and route running, but his speed was completely nonexistent last season before the injury.<\/p>\n If you need an underdog from this group, Jha\u2019Quan Jackson the second-year WR from Tulane is a fun watch. He\u2019s shifty, possesses great contact balance, and will return punts and kickoffs. If Tank Dell can\u2019t go, look for Jackson to sneak onto the roster for some temporary flare.<\/p>\n Dalton Schultz, Marlin Klein, Foster Moreau, Brevin Jordan<\/p>\n CUT: Cade Stover, Layne Pryor, Louis Hansen<\/p>\n Analysis: Klein may not be public enemy number one, but he\u2019s quickly earning a reputation for himself in Houston. Between the excessive draft capital and minicamp injury, Klein has an uphill battle to not find a role in this offense, but make the roster entirely. Both Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan have no intention of falling down the depth chart or waiting on the practice squad. They enter healthy and ready to compete. Barring injury, only two of the three are slated to make the initial 53-man roster. Jordan gets the nod over Stover as Jordan\u2019s ceiling, while exceptionally fleeting, has been significantly higher than what Stover has demonstrated through two seasons.<\/p>\n One player fans are writing on the roster is veteran Foster Moreau. Even Dalton Schultz \u201cthinks Foster\u2019s been a great addition for us, just bringing the energy, the juice.\u201d What the eight-year veteran will bring is a complexity to the offense that will help evolve Nick Caley\u2019s offense in its second season.<\/p>\n Aireontae Ersery, Braden Smith, Trent Brown, Wyatt Teller, Evan Brown , Blake Fisher, Keylan Rutledge, Febechi Nwaiwu, Ed Ingram<\/p>\n CUT: Jake Andrews, Jarrett Patterson, Eli Cox, Jarrett Kingston, Sam Hagen, James Neal III, Derrick Graham<\/p>\n Analysis: Evan Brown appeared to be a starting candidate throughout minicamp and OTAs, but just barely makes his way onto the roster ahead of Jake Andrews. Brown teeters on the edge of the roster and option depends on decisions such as a third QB or fifth defensive end or a 10th lineman. The battle for the interior offensive line will be fraught with competition. Brown will be at the center of the fray when camp kicks off in a couple weeks.<\/p>\n I am seeing chatter about Blake Fisher not making the roster, mostly due to James Neal III from Iowa State receiving one of the largest guaranteed contracts among Houston\u2019s UDFAs. For now, I cannot see that occurring. Fisher is the backup tackle and swing tackle. If a UDFA can unseat him, then that saves the Texans around $450k.<\/p>\n Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Dylan Horton, Dominique Robinson<\/p>\n CUT: Solomon Byrd, Ali Gaye, Sabastian Harsh<\/p>\n Analysis: No changes here… until the Texans inevitably add a veteran defensive end. Everyone would love to see the return of Derek Barnett,<\/a> whose back-to-back five sack seasons were a game changer for this defense. The depth of this group is not as thorough as past seasons, which will force the Texans to lean on Anderson Jr. and Hunter more.<\/p>\n Ali Gaye has returned to the team for his second stint after spending the past two seasons in Tennessee. Gaye is incredibly athletic and has a great frame to rush the passer, but is under-developed and lacks technique. He will compete against 2024 seventh-round pick Solomon Byrd for practice squad reps.<\/p>\n Tommy Togiai, Sheldon Rankins, Kayden McDonald, Logan Hall, Naquan Jones<\/p>\n CUT: Junior Tafuna, Dominic Bailey, Kyonte Hamilton<\/p>\n Analysis: A ton of trust is being placed in Logan Hall and Naquan Jones to come in, develop, and contribute. They replace reliable veterans Denico Autry, Tim Settle Jr., and Mario Edwards.<\/p>\n 2025 UDFA Junior Tafuna and seventh-rounder Kyonte Hamilton can compete for that final defensive line spot occupied by Jones. Jones contributed early in 2025 when many of the above veterans were out injured. He carried himself well, but was immediately relegated upon their return. He is one to watch early to examine what tier of players he\u2019s grouped with in training camp to determine his standing on the roster.<\/p>\n Henry To\u2019oTo\u2019o, Azeez Al-Shaair, Wade Woodaz, Jake Hansen, Jake Hummel<\/p>\n CUT: Jamal Hill, Marte Mapu, Aiden Fisher, K.C. Ossai<\/p>\n